They were up in the dark ready to catch the bus at 5am, chauffeur driven by bus captain (come Under 16 Coach/ Line marker/ Goal Umpire / barbecue King ) Tony McLaughlin.

Coaching staff said it was a pleasurable change to travel to a town where they didn’t have to lend players.

During the first quarter the players were a bit sluggish - as expected after a four-hour bus trip - but by quarter time they were ahead, although only by one goal.

They knew they had to lift, and they did.

The midfield of Matt North, Amy Hague, Ashley Hagiel and Dylan Politis combined well and began to push the ball into the forward line, where “Little” Naismith, Wendy Litherland, Jackson Lemm and Kingsley Williamson made the best of every opportunity. Although Kingaroy were quick at the ball, the Hawks were in the lead at half time.

Team coaches Tom North and Craig Naismith made changes with Amy Hague moving to the backline to assist Sam Baldock, Logan North and Micky Wattus; bringing Kingsley Williamson to the midfield, thus creating an open forward line, letting the Hawks’ bigger midfielders to run forward into space and score more freely.

By three quarter time Goondiwindi was well in the lead but needed to finish strongly.

The last quarter saw the fitness of those who had done pre-season work come into play and the Hawks came away with a good win.

This week the team will focus on kicking and marking in preparation to play the highly rated University Cougars.

Full Time Score - Goondiwindi 10.8.68 defeated Kingaroy 3.6.24

Goal kickers: Little Naismith 4, Matthew North 2, Wendy Litherland 1, Amy Hague 1, Kingsley Williamson 1, Dylan Politis 1. Best Players: Jackson Lemm and Amy Hague, with Royal Hotel Awards going to Dylan Politis and Ashley Hagiel. The AFL Award went to “Little Naismith”.

The Under 14 Hawks were short, with players away at representative football.

The players that were there had to step up and out of their comfort zone – Ben Ambrose, Travis Sheahan and Peter Tribe all played in the midfield which was a huge ask against the stronger Kingaroy side.

Tyson Hagiel provided one of the best games of his career, dominating in the ruck . Unfortunately this wasn’t enough against the ladder leaders. Yet again the players that played up from 12’s supported well, led by Dylan Politis and Matt North. Zoe Naismith and Gus McLaughlin had a solid game in the back line before going into the midfield half way through the third quarter.

Gus “That’s My Boy” McLaughlin provided a big lift to the midfield with his size and strength – resulting in the second goal of his playing history, which in turn caused pandemonium in the passionate Goondiwindi contingency. At the end of the day the Hawks were short players but kept their heads high, hoping for a closer result in the return visit. Full Time Score Goondiwindi 1.3.9 defeated by Kingaroy 33.9.198.

Goal kickers: Fergus McLaughlin 1. Best Players: Tyson Hagiel, Dylan Politis, Gus McLaughlin and Matt North. Royal Hotel Awards went to Ben Ambrose and Tyson Hagiel, with the AFL Award going to Dylan Politis.